How to respond to a friend who made a comment that really triggered me?
I’m looking for some sincere advice on how I should have responded to a friend last night.
I’ve already been feeling a need to pull apart from this friendship due to a lack of alignment in values, and generally not feeling great around her.
I had a few friends over for vegan tacos last night. Organically in the dinner conversation, I brought up how our neighbor used to have a flock of sheep to graze in his orchard, but mentioned that he sadly killed them for food, which made me really sad to hear.
Her immediate response was, “Well, that’s all sheep are good for.” She then proceeded to discuss with my other friend what kind of meat they put wine on.
The whole conversation felt so tone deaf and rude to me. I almost blurted out something snappy, but instead I said nothing. I’m feeling really misaligned with myself that I didn’t speak up, or at least ask why she thinks that.
To add to the frustration, she is pregnant with her first baby, and I couldn’t help but feel so much anger and sadness for the planet thinking that this is the mindset she will be raising her child with. I know that may sound judgmental, but it honestly made me grieve the way so many people are taught to see animals as nothing more than food or products.
I’m curious what others’ experiences are with not feeling ethically aligned with people in your circle. What would have been a mature response in this situation?